On Thursday, the Department of Education announced the launch of an investigation into George Mason University’s hiring and promotion practices. This marks the second federal inquiry into the Fairfax, Virginia-based institution in just a month.
The investigation is being conducted by the department’s Office for Civil Rights, following a complaint from a group of professors at GMU. The educators claim that the university’s personnel decisions favor certain racial groups to the detriment of others.
A statement from the department indicated that this alleged conduct “creates a racially hostile environment” and may infringe upon Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
If the findings determine that GMU has indeed violated the civil rights of its faculty members, the university could face the severe consequence of losing federal funding.
This scrutiny comes shortly after another significant public institution in Virginia, the University of Virginia, was investigated by the Trump administration. Jim Ryan, the president of UVA, resigned in June following claims regarding the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights, stated, “The Trump-McMahon Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights will investigate this matter fully to ensure that individuals are judged based on their merit and accomplishment, not the color of their skin.”
The Department of Education specified five key allegations from the complaint, including claims about “Equity Advisors” working on recruitment equity and a Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence established by the university.
Moreover, the complaint alleges that Washington advised faculty members that a candidate who met certain criteria could be selected based on their “diversity,” even if that person might not have stronger credentials than other candidates.
According to GMU, the university became aware of the investigation on Thursday, coinciding with the news coverage of the issue.
“George Mason University reaffirms its dedication to comply with all federal and state regulations,” the institution stated. “The university continuously reviews its policies and practices to ensure alignment with federal laws and directives.”
Earlier in March, following a directive from then-President Donald Trump regarding compliance with federal DEI policies, Washington announced a rebranding of the DEI office to “Office of Access, Compliance, and Community.” He later asserted that GMU met all federal requirements and uncovered “no evidence” of discriminatory practices following an internal review.
This latest investigation adds to GMU’s woes, as it was notified just last week about another inquiry from the Office for Civil Rights related to its inadequate response to claims of a hostile environment faced by Jewish community members.
These probes mirror investigations targeting prestigious institutions like Harvard and Columbia Universities, signaling a growing scrutiny of higher education under the Trump administration.
While some targeted schools are known for their progressive values and inclusive environments, George Mason’s history diverges from that trajectory.
In 2016, the law school at GMU was named after late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, following substantial donations from politically conservative benefactors.
Additionally, the university has secured millions in funding from entities linked to Charles H. Koch, a billionaire prominent for his financial backing of conservative initiatives and think tanks.
